Observation and self report Flashcards
(38 cards)
What is covert observation
which participants are unaware they are being watched.
strength and weaknesses of covert observation
strengths: unaware they are being observed so less social desirability bias
weaknesses: if spotted then not valid as participants will change behaviour
raises ethical questions
What is overt observation
in research when the participants know that the researcher is observing them
strength and weaknesses of overt observation
strengths: it is more ethical
weaknesses: might change their behaviour
what is participant observation?
When the researcher is engaging with the participants in the social setting
strength and weaknesses of participant observation
strengths: give insight into the participants real emotions and motives
will act more normally
might reveal more
weaknesses: can make the observer subjective
raises ethical questions
What is non-participant behaviour
when the researcher is collecting data of participants are behaving without engaging with them as part of the social setting
strengths and weaknesses of non-participant behaviour
strengths: can make detailed and accurate recordings
observers can remain objective
weaknesses: ethical questions
impact on behaviour of participants
what is controlled observation
where some situations have been manipulated by the researchers
strength and weaknesses of controlled observation
strengths: data recording is reliable as equipment can be used
extraneous variables can be controlled
weaknesses: pps may react different as they are in an unfamiliar setting
participants know they are in an artificial situation so may not act normally
situation can be limited so can’t look at complex situations
What is a naturalistic observation
behaviour is seen in the participants normal environment without the researchers interfering
strength and weaknesses of naturalistic observation
strengths: participants are in their normal environment so more likely to react realistically
less likely to know they are being observed so act more genuinely
useful for obtaining observations in situations where interference would be unethical
weaknesses: can’t control extraneous variables
if spotted then not valid
difficult to collect data
what is structured observation
where the researcher records a specified range of behaviours in pre-decided categories
strength and weaknesses of structured observation
strength: Easier to record as there is a specific focus on certain behaviours
Easier to establish inter-rater reliability.
weaknesses: Can reduce validity as there is a clear focus, behaviours that may be important may be missed due to it not being part of the planned behaviours.
Open to observer bias as the researcher may interpret behaviours in a way that fits into the planned behavioural categories
what is unstructured observation
Recording everything observed during the observation
strength and weaknesses of unstructured observation
strengths: Increases validity as the researcher is taking into account all behaviours
Applicable to a wide range of contexts
weaknesses: Harder to record
Harder to establish reliability
Open to observer bias as the researcher may only note down behaviours that support their own theories
What is a behavioural categories
clearly defined behaviours are identified, which can be observed and recorded. These may be placed on a checklist and tallied every time that behaviour occurs.
What is a coding frame
Allow for more specific behaviours to be observed with in a behaviour category. Codes and abbreviations can be used to record the severity of behaviours or a different sub-type within a category.
What is event sampling
A data collection technique that uses a checklist of possible activities, which are tallied as they occur.
what is time sampling
Behaviour, as specified on a predetermined checklist, is observed and recorded at specific time intervals (e.g. every 10 minutes for a period of 15 seconds)
strength and weaknesses of event sampling
strength: Records are easy to obtain and analyse as researchers can clearly see the total number of behaviours foe each event
More reliable observations as the events are already planned
weaknesses: Can miss important behaviours
if many events occur at once it may lead to behaviours not being recorded
It gives no indication of the amount of time spent
strength and weaknesses of time sampling
strengths: Less likely to miss behaviours as the researcher usually has a short time to focus on
know how much time was spent on each behaviour
weaknesses: can miss behaviours outside the time intervals
Can be hard if lots of behaviour occurs at once
can miss behaviours not coded for
what does self-report mean?
The participant records their own beliefs
What is a questionnaire?
a method that used written questions
